Retractable writing instrument



April 14, 1959 B. M. CRAIG 2,881,735

RETRACTABLE WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. l. 1954 INVENTOR.

QZ/gfg.' BY/3mm@ ATroRMe-Y United States Patent O 2,881,735 RETRACTABLE WRITING INSTRUMENT Burnie M. Craig, Pasadena, Calif. Application December 1, 1954, Serial No. 472,412

6 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-42.03)

This invention relates to a ball point pen.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved ball point pen.

A more specic object of the invention is to provide an improved retracting means for a writing instrument such as a ball point pen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball point pen including a barrel having a cartridge therein and wherein means is provided for holding the cartridge in advanced position and wherein the barrel is flexible and means is provided when the barrel is flexed to cause the wriiting point to be retracted. y

A further object of the invention is to provide a ball point pen including a exible barrel having a cartridge slidable therein with a ball writing point mounted on the cartridge and wherein a push button serves to advance the writing ball to writing position and wherein flexing of the pen barrel causes the writing point to retreat from writing position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge for a ball point pen wherein the cartridge includes novel means for engaging a retracting device in a pen barrel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view showing a ball point pen embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is lan elevation, partly in section showing the plunger member;

Fig. 4 is a section of the cartridge taken on line 44, Fig. 1;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 5, 6 6, and 7-7, Fig. 1, respectively; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in another position.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters a pen embodying features of the invention is indicated generally at 10. The pen shown includes a front barrel portion 11 which is threaded to a rear barrel portion 12 as at 13. The barrel includes a tapering front end 14 which has an aperture 15 therein through which a writing tip 16 on an ink cartridge 17 extends.

The ink cartridge includes a bleed hole 19. The cartridge includes a plurality of crimps 20. The crimps should be at least three in number to secure the desired eiect to be later described. The forward end of the cartridge extends through a hole 21 in a washer 22. A spring 23 surrounds the cartridge and the forward end of the spring is shown as enlarged as at 24 to engage the tapered portion 14 on the barrel. The crimps 20 engage the rear of the washer 22 thus limiting the movement of the washer 22 along the cartridge.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 the spring 23 is urging the cartridge 17 to the right, and the point 16 is in an advanced position. The cartridge is held in this advanced position due to the engagement of the hollow rear end 30 of the cartridge with a conical ICC portion 31 on a stem 32 which is integral with a partition member 33 on the barrel portion 12. The partition member 33 includes integral ribs 34, shown as four in number, and a central portion 35 which is a continuation ofl the stem 32.

The barrel portions 11 and 12 may be either or both made of flexible material such as plastic or metal. In the disclosure the portion 11 is shown as made of metal and is more rigid than is the portion 12 which is `made of polyethylene and is exible. Thus when pressure is applied in the vicinity of the portion 14 the rear portion 11 will flex and will be displaced at one side of the longitudinal axis of the pen.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 and that the rear portion 12 is flexed as described; this will cause the front end of the cartridge 17 tovbe rocked with the point of contact of the crimps 20 with the wall of the hole 21 las. the fulcrum and will cause the inner end 30 of the cartridge to be displaced laterally from the conical portion 31 on the stem 32. This will free the washer 22 which has a loose t in the portion 12 to move inwardly and the washer engaging the crimps 20 on the cartridge will move the cartridge to the broken line position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8,l it is necessary to restore the parts to the position of Fig. 1 to make the pen operative for writing. To do this I provide a plunger device 40 which includes a generally cylindrical body 41. This body includes a solid portion` 42 from which a plurality of segmental members 43 extend forwardly. Each of the members 43 iits between a pair of the partition members 33 and slides along these members. The portion 42 includes a reduced push button member 44. The member 44 is normally urged to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by a spring 45 which engages the partition portion 35 and the plunger: The

plunger is held in place by an inwardly turned lip 46 on the part 12. The material of the portion 12 of the barrel is resilient so that the lip 46 may be stretched suiciently to allow the plunger to be inserted after which the plunger will return to its normal position to prevent accidental removal of the plunger.

The front end of the segmental members 43 are tapered in frusto-conical form as at 47 and in its rearward movement, shown in Fig. 8, the rear end of the cartridge engages the frusto-conical portion 47 to limit rearward movement of the cartridge.

When the parts are in the position of Fig. 8 and the plunger 40 is pushed inwardly the sloping portions of 47 of the segmental members 43 on the plunger will engage the end 30 of the cartridge and will move the cartridge forward against the tension of the spring 23. The inclination of the portion 47 will cause the free end 30 of the cartridge to be urged inwardly against the stem 32. When the end of the stem is reached the end 30 will be free to move inwardly and it will be forced inwardly by the inclined portion 47 so that it will ride over the portion 31 on the stern 32 to the position shown in Fig. l, whereupon when pressure is removed from the plunger 44 the parts will remain in the full line position of Fig. l.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that when the writing tip 16 is in advanced position a bending of the rear end of the barrel 11 will cause the writing tip to be retracted. Forward pressure on the plunger button 44 will again cause the writing tip to be advanced to writing position.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A writing instrument including a tubular elongated barrel having an open front end, apertured fulcrum form- G ing means within the barrel, an elongated cartridge member axially disposed in the barrel and sl-idably extending through the apertured fulcrum means, said cartridge Patented Apr.14, 1959v member including a writing tip at one end thereof and an ink reservoir communicating with the tip, said cartridge being movable from an advanced position wherein the tip projects through the barrel opemng to the retracted position wherein the tip is withdrawn mto the barrel, means normally urging the cartridge to itsA retracted position, a partition member disposed in thek rear of the barrel, said partition member including a body and spaced portions Connecting the body to the barrel, said body having a front end portion coaxial' wlththe barrel and adapted to engage the rear end of a cartrldge when the cartridge is in an advanced position, a plunger slidable within the rear end of the barrel, the front end portion of the body and the barrell adjacent the .front end portion of the body being of the size to provide a space which is adapted to receive the rear end otthe cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted posltion, means normally urging the plunger rearwardly, said plunger having forwardlyv extending spaced members which are slidable between the partition spaced portlons, said plunger members at their front ends being internally tapered in frusto-conical form and being adapted to engage the rear end of a cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted position, said barrel having a ilexible front portion, said fulcrum means through which the cartridge projects providing -a fulcrum about which the cartridge pivots when the front portion of the barrel is exed to thus swing the cartridge from its engagement with the front end portion of the body to thereby permit the cartridge to move rearwardly.

2. A writing instrument including a tubular elongated bar-rel having an open front end, an apertured fulcrum forming member within the barrel, an elongated cartridge member axially disposed in the barrel and slidably extending through the fulcrum member, said cartridge member including a writing tip at one end thereof and an ink reservoir communicating with the tip, said cartridge being movable through the fulcrum member from an advanced position wherein the tip projects through the barrel opening to =a retracted position wherein the tip is withdrawn into the barrel, spring means normally urging the cartridge to its retracted position, aA partition member disposed in the rear of the barrel, saidl partition member including a bodyl having spaced radiating ribs and a stem projecting inwardly from the body, said stem having a tapered front end portion which is coaxial with the barrel and is adapted to engage the rear end yof a cartridge when the cartridge is in an yadvanced position, a plunger member including a body portion slidable withinl the rear end of the barrel, said plunger including a rear end portion operable to move the. plunger forwardly, the stem and the barrel adjacent the stem being of the size to provide a Space which is adapted to receive the rear end of the cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted position, means normally urgingv the plunger rearwardly, said plunger having forwardly extendingy spaced members which are slidable between the partition ribs, said plunger members at their front ends being internally tapered in frusto-conical form and being adapted to engage the rear end of a cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted position, said barrell having a exible front portion, said fulcrum member through which the cartridge projects providing a fulcrum about which the cartridge pivots when the front portion of the barrel is ilexed to thus swing the cartridge from its engagement with the forward end of the stern to thereby permit the cartridge tol move rearwardly.

3. A writingl instrument including a tubular elongated barrel having an open front end, an |apertured washer arranged within the barrel intermediate the length of the barrel, an elongated cartridge member axially disposed in thez barrel and slidably extending through the washer, said cartridge member including a writing tip at one end thereof: and an ink' reservoir communicating withthe tip, said cartridge being movable through the washer frOm an advanced position wherein the tip projects through the barrel opening to a retracted position wherein the tip is withdrawn into the barrel, a spring surrounding the cartridge and normally urging the cartridge to its retracted position, a partition member disposed in the rear of the barrel, Said partition member including la central portion and spaced radiating ribs, said partition member having |a stem projecting inwardly from the central portion, said stem having a conical end portion which is coaxialv with the barrel and is adapted to engage the rear endl of the cartridge when the cartridge is in an advanced position, a plunger member slidable within the rear end of the barrel, said plunger having a protruding end portion operable to move the plunger forwardly, the stem and the barrel adjacent the stem being of the size to provide an annular space which receives the rear end of the cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted position,V a spring normally urgingv the plunger rearwardly said plunger having forwardly extending spaced members, said plunger members being slidable between the partition ribs, said plunger members at their front ends being internally tapered in frusto-conieal form and' being adapted to engage the rear end of a cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted position, said barrel having a ilexible forward portion adapted to be flexed, said washer through which the cartridge projects providing -a fulcrum about which the cartridge pivots when the front portion of the barrel isl flexed to thus swing the cartridge from its engagement.

with the forward end of the stern to permit the first mentioned spring to move the cartridge rearwardly.

4. A writing instrument including a tubular elongated barrel having an open front end, an apertured fulcrum.

reservoir communicating with the tip, said cartridge beingy movable through the fulcrum member from an advancedv position wherein the tip projects through the barrel opening to a retracted position wherein the tip is withdrawn intothe barrel, a spring surrounding the cartridge and. normally urging the cartridge to its retracted position, a partition member disposed in the rear orr the barrel, said partition member including a central portion and spaced radiating ribs, said partition member having a stem projecting inwardly from the central portion, said stem having a conical end portion which is coaxial with the barrel and is adapted to engage the rear end of a cartridge when. the cartridge is in an advanced position, a plunger member including a cylindrical portion slidable within the rear endl of the barrel, said plunger' having a reduced rear end'portion operable to move the plunger forwardly within the barrel, the stem and the bar-rel adjacent the stem being of the size to provide an annular space which receives the rear end of the cartridge when the cartridge is' in its retracted position, a spring engaging the plungerl and partition and normally urging the plunger rearwardly, said plunger having forwardly extending spaced segmental members, said plunger segmental members being slidable between the partition' ribs, said segmental members at their front ends beingintern'ally tapered in frustoconical form and being adapted to engage the rear end' of a cartridge when the cartridge is in its retracted posi.- tion, said barrelV having'a flexible forward portion adapted tov be ilexed, said fulcrum member through which the cartridge projects providing a fulcrum about which the cartridge pivots when the front portion of the barrel is exed to thus swing the cartridge from its engagement" with the forward end ofthe stem topermit the lirst mentioned spring to move the cartridge rearwardly.

5. A writing instrument including a tubular elongated barrel having an open front end, said barrel having a forward-portion and a rearward portion, an apertured ful'- crurnI forming member within the barrel' disposed` be'- tween said forward portion and said rearward portion, an elongated cartridge member axially disposed in the barrel and slidably extending through the fulcrum member, said cartridge member including a writing tip at one end thereof and an ink reservoir communicating with the tip, said cartridge being movable through the fulcrum member from an advanced position wherein the tip projects through the barrel opening to a retracted position wherein the tip is withdrawn into the barrel, spring means normally urging the cartridge to its retracted position, cartridge engaging means in the rear end of the barrel to retain the cartridge in an advanced position, a recess in said rearward portion adapted to receive the rear end of said cartridge when said cartridge is in its retracted position, one of the portions of said barrel being resilient whereby the axis of the front portion of said barrel may be inclined to the axis of rear portion of said barrel by lateral pressure exerted on said barrel and whereby the rear end of the cartridge is displaced from said cartridge engaging means permitting the spring to translate the cartridge to its retracted position.

6. A writing instrument including a tubular elongated barrel having an open front end, said barrel having a forward and a rearward portion, an elongated writing unit axially and slidably disposed in the barrel, said writing unit including a writing tip at one end thereof, said writing unit being movable between an advanced posi tion wherein the tip projects through the barrel open front end and a retracted position wherein the tip is withdrawn into the barrel, spring means normally urging the writing unit to its retracted position, means adjacent the rear end of the barrel engageable with a portion of the writing unit to retain the writing unit in advanced position, means substantially providing lateral engagement between the barrel and writing unit at a point intermediate the ends of the barrel, said rearward barrel portion having a recess adapted to receive the rear end of said writing unit when said writing unit is in its retracted position, at least a part of the barrel being resilient whereby the axis of the forward portion of said barrel may be inclined to the axis of the rearward portion by lateral pressure exerted on said barrel whereby said writing unit portion is displaced from said engageable means permitting said spring means to translate said Writing unit to its retracted position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,580,754 Frentzel Jan. l, 1952 2,584,569 Frentzel Feb. 5, 1952 2,645,204 Bross July 14, 1953 2,692,580 Kahn et al Oct. 26, 1954 2,734,484 OSullivan Feb. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 444,447 Italy Jan. 21, 1949 814,568 Germany Sept. 24, 1951 1,000,555 France Oct. 17, 1951 

